JAMES MOSER
Class of 1948Alumni Recognition Award, 2000
James L. Moser becomes the second member of the Moser family to be recognized by the Naperville Central High School Alumni Committee. James’ brother Harold Moser was in the first alumni recognition class in 1996. James Moser was a giver and a builder. He was a builder, not just of houses, but of dreams and of a better life for his community.
James Moser was born in 1931. He grew up in Naperville, attending SST Peter and Paul Catholic School, before attending Naperville High School in the late forties. Moser was an outstanding athlete in high school, competing in football, basketball and track. Moser played on Coach “Joker” Harshbarger’s great teams of the late 1940’s. Following his high school graduation, Moser attended St. Norbert College and later served as a first lieutenant in the Army Medical Service Corps.
Moser came back to live and work in Naperville, where he became owner and CEO of Moser Lumber in 1969. Moser led the dramatic growth throughout the next three decades, playing a major role in the local home construction industry, as Naperville became one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. In 1986, Moser established Moser Enterprises, Inc., a land development company involved in the development of Old Sawmill, Winding Creek, Ashbury, Breckenridge, High Meadow, Saddle Creek, Harvest Glen, and Harmony Grove subdivisions.
Mr. Moser was involved in a number of organizations that enhanced the quality of life in Naperville. His leadership and vision to establish a charming park with covered bridges along the DuPage River in downtown Naperville resulted in the creation of the beautiful Riverwalk for the city’s sesquicentennial celebration. Mr. Moser was the first chairman of the Riverwalk Commission, an office he held from 1982-1990.
Moser was also chairman of the Safety Town Construction Committee and was instrumental in the building of the miniature village. Through major gifts of time, materials, and financial donations, Moser also was involved with the construction of the Pre-Emption House at Naper Settlement.
In addition to the above, Mr. Moser was a major influence in bringing the DuPage Children’s Museum to Naperville and was the sponsor of the Celebration 2000 Fireworks Extravaganza.
In 1996, Naperville honored Mr. Moser by making him the first recipient of Naperville’s Outstanding Citizen Award. A portrait of James Moser hangs in the Naperville Municipal Center.
MR. MOSER’S MESSAGE TO STUDENTS: Give priority to your God, your family, your friends, and your community. You will be rich in all that really matters.
